The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-03-04
wAsHINoToN LRTTnR.
WAsHINarnN. Fah' 2lst lss1

lFrom our regular correspondent
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2lst, 1887.
The session is rapidly Shipping to its
close and congress is trying to make the
best use Of Its brief life by dispensing as
much as possible with business Of pri-
vate character. Among the important
matters that have had attention during
the past week may DO mentioned the
'rehuantepec Ship Railway bill, the Riy-
and Harbor bill and the Sundry Civil,
the Anti. Polygamy bill, and halfa dozen
measures appropriating millions of dol
lars for ships of war and coast defenses.
The long cherished project of Capt.
Eads passed the senate by decided
majority. BY the provisions of the bill
Mr.. EadS and his associates are incor-
porated as the Atlantic and Pacific Rail-
way Company, with capital stock not
to exceed 500, OOO, 600, no bonds to be is
sued until the paid-in capital shall
amount to 5000, 900. The government
is in nowise committed to the propo-
sition pecuniarily, and makes no guaran-
tees.
The first Mexican pension was made
by Commissioner Black on last Friday,
and the beneficiary was ex-senator
Williams, of Kentucky. Ever since the
battle of Cerro Gordo where he greatly
distinguished himself, he has been
known as "Cerro Gordo williams" The
application for the allowance was fled
in the commissioners Office at eleven
O'Clock that morning, and the pension
certificate was sent out in the after
Moons mail for Louisville.
The clamor for change of Inaugural
ton day from the 4th of March to the
SOth of April grows louder as the work
ing days of the present congress have
become alarmingly few, and the danger
more apparent that nothing may be
done towards the desirable reform. The
trouble is that if the proposed amend
ment does not get through congress by
the end of this session, it cannot be rat
flied by the States in time to go into eff
feet as part of the Federal constitution
in the spring of 1889. There is no oppo-
sition to the change, but, on the con-
tlary everybody acknowledges that it
would be 'Ijust lovely" to have the iny
augural ceremonies at the most delight
full time of the year. If the Republican
senate is willing to extend President
CleVeland's term by eight weeks, no one
can see why the Democratic house
should not be more SO.
The recent broadside which Senator
Hoar aimed at his associates who we're
direlict about being present at the Chap
lain's opening prayer has had the effect
of increasing the number of senators in
the chamber at that hour. Ten used to
be the average attendance but now it IL
nearly thirty. The Massachusetts sena-
tor has been eongratulating hlmselfover
his success, and has received warm
commentator from Chaplain Butler
who, of course, deeply felt the dlsre-
sPect shown to the morning deVotions
by this unprayerful body.
Out of the whole senate full there are
only seven gentlemen who are always at
prayer and show noticeable feryor.
These are Senators Plumb, Blair, Hoar,
Mcmillan, Teller, Brown. and Gen.
Hawley. The others present seem won
dering all the time how long the prayer
is going to last. While the chaplain has
the floor Senator Evarts strokes his chin
and watches the clock; Senator Malone
witches nervOusly and looks over his pa
pers on the desk; Senator Vest buttons
and unbuttons his coat, another is twirl-
ing the ring on his finger or winding his
watch or caressing his mustache or hunt
ing for something in his pocket, and
Senator Call is accused of trying to make
his hair stand out stylishly from his ears.
But Senator Hoar stands beside his
desk with head bent, eyes closed and
hands clasped. He does not change his
attitude until the chaplain has descend
ed from the presidents desk. Senator
Plumb usually leans his elbow on his
desk during prayer, his face resting on
his hand, He sometimes converses with
the chaplain afterwards on the subject
of the prayer which indicates that he
must be piously attentive. Senator
Brown of Georgia seems to be deeply
religious man, and he seems to repeat
the words after the chaplain-at least
his lips move constantly.
Gen. HaWley's religious devotion is
equally pronounced. The moment the
prayer begins he stands up, and bends
his head low over his folded arms.
Sometimes he remains in this position
for several moments afterwards appar-
emily in deep meditation. Imagine a
score of senators smoking in the Hobbies
and as many more drinking cold tea in
the restaurant beneath, and the prayer